MEAT INDUSTRY.
BURDEN OF HIGH COSTS. ALL-ROUND REDUCTION WANTED. PREMIER ON THE POSITION. (By Wire —Parliamentary Reporter.), Wellington, Last Night. A rumor that the Meat Producers’ Board was negotiating for the purchase of refrigerated steamers was mentioned in the House this afternoon by Mr. T. D. Burnett (Temuka), who asked if it was true that the board and the Government were taking action in this direction. The Prime Minister replied that he could not answer for the board, but the Government was not negotiating for the purchase of any steamers, insulated or otherwise. The general position with regard to shipping had received the very close attention of the Government, and he had gathered some figures that showed the disadvantages that New Zealand was suffering in comparison with some foreign countries. The freight on New Zealand . mutton in 1914 was 11-16 ths of a penny, less 5 per cent., and the present rate was 1 5-Bd, plus 2| per cent. That was an increase of 150 per cent. ‘‘We cannot expect, to receive higher prices for our produce than we received before the war,” said Mr. Massey. “We should be satisfied if we received the same prices or similar prices as we received in 1914. That being so, we ought to do everything possible to see that the cost of production is not higher than before the war. If the cost of production is not brought down we are going to have financial trouble, and we are not easily going to get rid of our present difficulties.” The Prime Minister proceeded to quote other freight figures, showing that for 1922, as compared with 1914, lamb freights were up 158 per ’cent. Argentine freights for both mutton and lamb were up only 75 per cent., less than half the New Zealand increase. The position was similar in other lines. The pre-war freight on New Zealand canned meats was £2 per ton, plus 10 per cent., and the present rate was £4 5s per ton, plus 10 per cent. The old Argentine rate on tinned meats was £1 5s per ton, and the present rate was £1 15s per ton. “This sort of thing should not be allowed to go en,” continued the Prime Minister. “It is very much easier to say that than to improve the conditions. The Government is watching the position very closely, and we understand the importance of lower freights to the producing community.” Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) : “What is the explanation of the high freights?” Mr. Masesy: “That is quite another story'.” Mr. Holland: “I am only asking for information.” Mr. Massey : “I am sorry that I am unable to supply the information. I can only state that the owners of ships State that their expenses have increased so enormously that they have got to put up the charges to us. Coal is dearer and wages are higher, but something will have to be done to get. freights and other charges back to what they were before the war. We shall have to do something with railway freights and reduce the cost of freezing I and slaughtering, and the charges at the other end.” Mr. Holland: “And the cost of finance.” Mr. Massey: ‘‘And the cost of finance. This country is practically working for nothing at the present time, and it has great ' difficulty in holding its own. It cannot go on much longer as at present.” Mr. Masey quoted a cablegram reporting a reduction in London port charges secured by the vice-president of the Meat Proi ducers’ Board. The reduction, he said, 1 was satisfactory as far as it went., but ' the producers required an all-round reI duction. He hoped that nothing would be left undone to bring about a reduction in the cost of production, as a reduction was I urgently required for the prosperity of the I Dominion. CHARGES ON PRODUCE. PORT OF LONDON REDACTIONS. OVER 10 PER CENT. LOWER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board has received a cablegram from the vicechairman of the board, who is in London, that as a result of representations of the board, the Port of London Authority have agreed to further reduce all dues and charges from July 31 by 20 points, that is, from 924 per cent, increase on pre-war rates to 724 per cent. This applies to all storage on wool, meat and dairy produce, amounting to a reduction of over 10 per cent, on all current rates. The actual amount of the reduction on frozen meat is: Management rate reduced from 42s 9d to 38s 4d a ton, rent per day 2s 4d a ton to 2s Id a ton, maximum rent for the second period of 28 days 34s 6d a ton to 30s 9d a ton, maximum rent for the subsequent period of 28 days 33s a ton to 29s 6d a ton. The reduction on the consolidated rate on wool is from Us IOJd a bale to 10s 7Ad a bale. All port dues held by the shipping companies to the Port of Lond«?n Authority will be reduced to the same extent.
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Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1922, Page 5
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857MEAT INDUSTRY. Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1922, Page 5
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